'A tremendous source of pride': Carvajal's 10 years and 50 Spain matches

Dani Carvajal savoured a dream moment in Spain's first step in the fourth edition of the Nations League against Serbia: being captain of the Spanish national team, just on the day that marked the tenth anniversary of his debut and 50th cap.

"It is a tremendous source of pride. Above all for being able to start with the captain's armband, it means a lot to me. To be the captain on the pitch is a reference to a long career, to a lot of effort and sacrifice. It was a very special day," Carvajal told the Federation's media with emotion.

It was on 4 September 2014 that Carvajal's debut came in a friendly defeat for Spain in Paris. "Unfortunately, we lost 1-0 but it's a very nice memory. It was a dream debut against a great team and it was the start of this career with Spain," he recalled.

Since then, Carvajal has enjoyed a long and successful career with Real Madrid and has been part of the national team's recent triumphs, winning the 2023 Nations League and Euro 2024 in a year in which he has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or.

"You mature as a person. I was only 21 or 22 years old. In the end, you change, you improve, you try now to be the example and the mirror for the youngsters to look up to. On the pitch, you are also improving with your experience, but with the same desire and enthusiasm as always," he said.

"Time passes quickly, but I can be proud that in these ten years, all the coaches have counted on me. I am very grateful to the Federation for the support they have given me from day one. I've never had a guaranteed place, I've always had great teammates and great rivals in my position.

"It's been hard for me to get that starting place and now it seems that I'm having more continuity at my club and that means that I can also have it with Spain," said a player who at 32 promises to be around for a long time.